What are the prenatal vitamins for expecting mothers?
- Folic Acid
- Iodine
- Iron
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
The moment a woman finds out she’s pregnant, her priorities shift. It’s not just her anymore; she’s not alone. An actual human being is growing inside her and it’s something she needs to take care of. Because of this, she now prioritizes the supplements that the child needs rather than her Aviance cosmetic products.
An unborn child needs a lot of vitamins and it can only get this from their mother. Everything she eats, the child does as well, so she needs to be very careful about what she puts in her body.
To help all expectant mothers out there, we have listed the best prenatal vitamins that you should take to ensure the wellbeing of your child!
Folic Acid
Before we discuss how folic acid helps pregnant women, you must first know what it is. Folic acid is often used interchangeably along with the vitamin folate. While both are forms of vitamin B9, there’s one significant difference between the two.
Folate can be found naturally in dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach as well as in egg yolks, almonds, beans, sweet potatoes, bananas, and more. Folic acid, on the other hand, is the synthetic form of folate.
An average human needs about 400mcg of folic acid to stay healthy, but an expecting mother will need about 400mcg – 600mcg for both her and the baby. Folic acid is known to reduce problems in early fetal brain development. It is the best vitamin to ward off birth defects in the spine and brain, and it should be taken early in the pregnancy.
Iodine
Iodine deficiency can lead to stunting, congenital hypothyroidism, neurocognitive defects, and, at worst, miscarriage and stillbirth.
According to research, pregnant women need a daily 150mcg dose of iodine to satisfy both her and her child’s needs. They can easily meet this requirement by taking multivitamins that contain iodine which guarantee to keep their child’s fetal thyroidal development on track.
Iron
Approximately 15% of the world’s population is affected by iron deficiency, making it the most common mineral deficiency in the world. Iron is one of the major nutrients women and children need.
As for those who are with child, they need at least 17mg of iron to avoid birth defects such as low birth weight and premature birth. Doctors also recommend women who experience pre-birth anemia to increase their intake of iron.
Calcium
Calcium is one of the most fundamental vitamins that everyone has to take. During pregnancy, however, women have to significantly increase their calcium intake. Calcium consumption is especially important when fetal uptake is at the highest which is during the third trimester.
It is recommended for expecting mothers to get 1000mg of calcium daily. 330g goes to the formation of the baby’s fetal skeleton while the remaining is to keep the mother’s bones strong and healthy.
Now, 1000mg is a large amount and it’s hard to meet this daily requirement simply through multivitamins. You can only get around 200mg – 300mg of calcium from your supplements. The remaining 700mg should be obtained by eating calcium-rich food like yogurt and kale.
Vitamin D
Another vitamin that helps with the development and maintenance of both the mother’s and child’s bones is Vitamin D. Much like calcium, it is also important during the third trimester. Additionally, it helps prevent preterm births and painful labor.
Pregnant women will need around 400IU of Vitamin D. However, if your doctor diagnoses you with vitamin D deficiency, then you will need to take an additional 1,000IU – 2,000IU.
It is important to note, though, that excessive prenatal vitamin D intake increases the chances of your child having food allergies.
Key Takeaway
We know how hard it can be for women to give up their Aviance cosmetics for bottles of supplements, but it’s something that must be done to ensure that both mother and child stay healthy.
The vitamins listed above are the fundamental nutrients every expecting mother needs, but there are other minor minerals to look for, too. That said, you don’t have to take them all through multivitamins. Most of these can be found and incorporated into your daily meals and that’s really the best way to consume them.
Additionally, an excess of anything is detrimental and vitamin consumption isn’t an exception. In order to know the right amount, you need to consult your doctor and have them perform necessary tests to gauge your health.
After taking the tests and exams, you will be recommended a daily dose of several vitamins and it is crucial that you follow the doctor’s orders. All that is to ensure your baby grows up healthy and you, the mother, stays safe and healthy before, during, and after pregnancy!
